This book is dedicated to Professor P. K. Thomas (London, UK), our friend, teacher and leader in neuromuscular diseases and to our families whose help and support made this book possible. Special acknowledgements are made to Dr. Mila Blaivas (Michigan), Dr. Andrea Vass (Vienna), Ms. Judy Boldt, Ms. Denice Janus, Ms. Piya Mahendru (Michigan), Ms. Claudia Steffek (Vienna), and Mr. Petri Wieder from Springer. The authors are grateful to Mr. James Hiller who provided financial assistance for the colour photographs
